In China, when describing someone’s character, there is often an emphasis on the ability to endure hardship and adversity with resilience. This trait is captured by the phrase 吃苦 (chīkǔ), which translates literally to “eat bitterness.”
The Chinese character 苦 (kǔ) carries a multitude of meanings: bitter, sorrowful, cruel, torment, grief, and persistent effort, among others. These meanings reflect a cultural appreciation for perseverance in the face of hardship.
How did Blue Mountain Institute get its name?
Blue Mountain is one of the 10 most sacred centers of Taoism. It is in Sichuan province. There are many temples on the Blue Mountain. One of top Taoist temples is also there. I’ve been there many times, I have a kind of special connection. So, I used the name Blue Mountain.
Chinese name of the mountain actually is Qingcheng. Qing (青) means green as well as blue. Cheng (城) – city, or temple. Because it is all green. So, I translated it as Blue Mountain, because the word Qingcheng does not make sense on the West.
I had many deep experiences on the Blue Mountain. About one of them I wrote in my book The Medicine Box, in the last few chapters. In that times there were no tourists on the Mountain. But now it is very busy.
I had many trips and experiences there. Once I decided I should go to Blue Mountain and learn something, what time this teaching should be spread to the West. So, me and professor Chung, my very good friend. He is a psychic, he can do automatic writing.
We wanted to find a hermit, find a master on the mountain. But we didn’t find a master. But we did learn something. Very interesting experience.
When we were leaving the mountain I thought “Gosh, I did not learn anything! We did not see a hermit.” There are many Taoism temples there and many Taoists. But when we asked there, they answered “We do not have such a person”.
Later when we went to Shanghai we visited some temples, and from my experience in Shanghai I realized that I did learn something. It is not like verbal or written learning.
After visiting Blue Mountain I decided to give the name Blue Mountain to our institute. The Institute was established in 1989. Even today there are a lot of Taoist master on the Blue Mountain.
Around the midpoint of my life, I found myself wondering whether I was on the right path. I considered whether I should change careers and set out on a new course. Around this time, I received a call from an old friend of mine in China who was a Taoist qigong healer. This friend told me that he had returned to the island where he was born, and he invited me to visit whenever I happened to be in China.
Many Blue Mountain feng shui students in different parts of the world are asking me “how do we see and handle the coronavirus pandemic from a feng shui perspective?” I was surprised at the question, as feng shui is about living environment design. It is about life design and has no obvious connection to this pandemic.
However, since the fundamental feng shui principle is based on natural principles — natural laws, the highest guidance for human living, then maybe we can try to see the pandemic from a natural law perspective.
To be in harmony with nature is a popular ideal, especially in light of the increasingly popular environmental movement.
In fact, when Blue Mountain Institute was founded, we used “In harmony with nature, in tune with the heart” as the motto of the Institute. But what is in harmony with nature? And how can this harmony be achieved?
I formally became the disciple of Zen Master Pu Yu of Bubble Spring Temple on Drum Mountain in Fujian Province, China, right after the end of the Cultural Revolution in the late 1970’s. At that time, the temple had few monks and hardly any visitors. After the private ceremony, Master Pu Yu gave me a pep talk that has guided my life since. He talked about Zen tradition, the temple’s history, and also spoke more informally and personally to me.
Pu Yu (普雨法師) was the 133rd head master of Yungquan (“Bubbling Spring”) Temple on Gu Shan (“Drum Mountain”) in Fuzhou, China. Established in the Tang dynasty, this monastery has over 1,200 years of history. I formally became his disciple in the late 1970s, just a few years after the end of the Cultural Revolution. At that time, due to the long suppression of religion in China, the temple had few monks and hardly any visitors. As a result, I was able to enjoy quite a bit of time with Master Pu Yu during my stay.
Once I visited him in his private room while he was making tea, and he handed me a cup of steaming brew. The cups in the monastery were bigger than the tea cups usually seen in homes. It was a Song dynasty design, with a soft celadon glaze. I bowed, accepted it with both hands, and carefully took the first sip.
This was a special oolong tea known as “rock tea,” which has a bittersweet taste but a robust aroma with a hint of smoke in its flavor. While we had tea, I asked, “Master, what exactly is Zen mind?”
He smiled, but went on talking about tea.
After a while, when I had nearly finished my cup, I was about to repeat my question. He looked at my nearly empty cup, looked at me directly, and said very quietly, “So, do you remember?”
I was puzzled.
After a short moment, I asked, “Remember? Remember what?”
“Didn’t you just ask me about Zen mind?” he replied.
I tried to figure out what he meant, but was still confused.
“Do you remember the very moment you took the first sip?” he asked, looking right into my eyes.
After pausing briefly, he continued, “Do you remember that moment? Before you could tell whether the tea was hot or warm? Before you could differentiate smell from taste? Before you could tell what kind of tea it was? Do you remember that moment?”
As soon as I heard Master Pu Yu’s words, I understood: that moment is the state of Zen mind.
I looked at him and smiled in silence. He nodded and smiled back. It was but a brief moment; yet I have retained this memory for decades.
The foundation of Zen teaching is this: no matter where we are or what we are doing, we must fully live at that moment.
So, do you remember?
We often hear people say that they want to be on a spiritual path. Often they are people who have achieved worldly success but do not feel fulfilled. Or they may be people who are struggling, and hope to escape from the burdens and frustration of ordinary life.
On my birthday, I began my routine fasting, following the method I posted on my previous blog “The Secret of Successful Fasting”. After a couple days, I did not have any hungry feeling what-so-ever. However, eating is an important part of living. Without food you are missing a lot of fun in life. Though not hungry, I felt bored. So, I decided to ask for help. Right before I slept, I lay in bed and talked to my body: “fasting should not be boring, please help”. And magically, the following day I felt happy and lively, the boredom and any desire for food had simply gone. I was able do my writing throughout most of the whole day as well as fit in a one and half hour walk.
If we see a human being as a Taiji, based on the holographic theory, the external features, internal organs, and single cells are the same Taiji but are on different levels. From a Taoist perspective, by communicating to micro levels; there is a more intimate connection. In mobilizing the support of the WHOLE body, the resonance brings forth empowerment to manifest what you are asking for.
Try to talk to your body on all levels. You might be surprised to find out that indeed, it listens and works.
Two years ago, I used fasting to cleanse my body as a way to celebrate my birthday. The fasting resulted in more energy, better mental clarity, and boosted spirits—as well as weight loss. I felt so good during the fast and hoped to continue as long as I could. However an important consulting mission in the Ukraine ended the fasting on the 24th day. Today, I still maintain the weight I achieved at the end of fasting.
Most people find that one day without food is their limit. People who are able to fast for 1-2 weeks often find that days 3 and 4 of the fast are the most difficult period to overcome. However, in my case, I did not experience any physical or emotional uneasiness from the first day onwards. My fasting experience was simple, easy, and even enjoyable. Yes, there is a secret! The secret to fasting is to bring the full body on board.
When the president of a country wants to implement a policy for the good of country, not only will he need the support of all of his cabinet members, he will also need the support of all the citizens. He needs to clearly explain to the citizens the necessity and benefit of implementing a particular policy. With the majority of citizens voting in support, the policy could then be successfully implemented. This is the same way with fasting. Deciding to fast with only your head, the president, is not good enough; we must lobby for and obtain support from all of the body’s cabinet members—the 12 major organs—and all of the citizens, or cells.
Here is how to do it: the night before fasting, lie on the bed with your body relaxed and your mind clear. Then visualize all of your organs and talk to each one, explaining the necessity and benefits of fasting. These benefits could include cleansing the body, rejuvenating the metabolism, removing a block for better energy flow, and/or your own personal reasons. Once you have explained these benefits, feel all of your organs happily agreeing and move on to the cells. Visualize all of your body’s cells, from toe to head, and talk to each of them. Explain to the millions of cells how this fast will benefit the whole body. As your cells agree, you will feel the body relax and warm a bit. Give thanks to your organs and cells, and then use abdominal breathing to go to sleep.
When you wake up the following day, follow the fasting routine you have chosen. You will not experience any hunger or emotional disturbance. I base my fast loosely on the lemon-juice method, and I also drink tea. You do not need to make life too complicated by strictly following any one system to fine detail. As long as you have the support of your whole body, you will find the fasting is simple and easy.
Remember, the natural way is the simple and easy way. Fasting should not require “suffering”. Simply follow the method above for a good surprise.
Happy fasting!
